Satish Jarkiholi remained defiant for two days before backpedaling.
Karnataka Congress leader Satish Jarkiholi today withdrew his comments on the word "Hindu" and apologised after a massive controversy and attacks from the state's ruling BJP.
In a letter to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, the Congress leader tacked his apology on to a demand for an inquiry into the statements that he made.
Mr Jarkiholi, who is the Karnataka Congress working president, was denounced by his own party for his comments on Monday.
He remained defiant for two days before backpedaling.
"The word 'Hindu' - where did it originate from... It's Persian, from the region of Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan. What is the connection of the word 'Hindu' with India? Then how can you accept it? This should be debated... You will be ashamed to know the meaning of 'Hindu'," he had said in Belagavi.
On Tuesday he reiterated that many books mention the Persian roots of the word 'Hindu'. He offered to resign if anyone could prove him wrong.
